Leaf for loose-leaf books.



No. 737,261. 'PATENTED AUG. 25, 1903..

H. c. MILLER.

) I LEAF FOR LOOSE LEAP BOOKS. APPLIOATIOIIILEDJUN E 8,1903.

10 IODEL.

' UNITED Y STATES Patented August 25, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

:LEA'F oR LOOSE-LEAF BOOKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 737,261, dated August 25, 1903 Application filed June 8, 1903. Serial No. 160,510. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY C. MILLER, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in leaves for loose-leaf books.

-In loose-leaf books, especially in the particular class known as loose-leaf. ledgers, the leaves are so constructed as to be readily removed from between the cover-pieces. of the book or to be readily inserted in place therebetween. These leaves are also pro vided near their rear edges with portions which are more flexible than the main stiff body portions thereof, so as to afford portions at the rear which are readily bendable when the book is opened.

In leaves having the characteristics above set forth the rear flexible or hinge portions are usually formed of linen, muslin, or other.

flexible material secured at their inner edges to the rear edges of the leaves proper and at their outer edges to reinforcing strips or portions composed of material of a less flexible nature, said reinforcing portions being provided with openings which are adapted to receive the mechanism of the binder to there by permit the leaves to be inserted or removed.

Leaves of the construction just-referred to are objectionable, owing to their tendency to buckle, curl, or crinkle in the opening and closing of the book.

It is the object of my invention to overcome the above-noted and other objections in leaves as now constructed for loose-leaf books and at the same time to provide for constructing the hinge or flexible joint in such manner that not only is ample provision for flexibility secured, but at the same time the leaf at the hinge or flexible portion is strong and enduring and is protected to a great extent against tearing at such portion.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the specific and special form of construction for carrying out my invention; but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself specific ally thereto, inasmuch as modifications, variations, and omissions may be resortedto, as

will appear hereinafter, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a view of one side of a leaf constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof. Fig.3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a view of a fragment of the leaf looking on the opposite side to that shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to'the drawings, the numeral 5 indicates the main body portion of the leaf. To the rear edge of this main body portion is connected, by means of glue, paste, or any other desirable means, a portion 6, which is thinner than the main body portion of the leaf and forms the flexible member or hinge. This part 6 is preferably of paper, although any other desirable material may be employed. Extending longitudinally of the flexible member is a strip 7 of paper or any other desirable material. Thisstrip is glued or otherwise suitably connected to the flexible member 6 and is of less width than said flexible member,

so as to leave portions of the flexible member extending beyond the longitudinal edges of the strip. Across the rear portion of the flexible member is pasted, glued, or otherwise suitably secured a reinforcing layer 8, said layer providing a stiffer or less flexible portion, in which openings 9 for'the passage therethrough of the usual posts (not shown) employed in connection withloose-leaf books. If desired, instead of providing 'a separate strip 8 for forming the reinforcing layer the flexible member 6 maybe carried rearwardly and then bent back upon-itself and suitably secured in order to form thisreinforced or stiffened portion.

It will be noticed from the disclosure of the drawings that the upper and lower ends of the flexible member terminate short of the upper and lower edges of the leaf, whereas the upper and lower ends of the longitudinal strip are flush with the upper and lower edges of the leaf. The spaces formed byreason of the flexible member terminating short of. the upper and lower edges of the leaf are filled up by means of short strips 10 of cambric,

ends secured, respectively, to the rear edge of the leaf proper and to the rear reinforcing or stifiening portion 8.

IVhile I prefer that the flexible member 6 be composed of a strip separate from and secured to the main portion of the leaf, yet I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, inasmuch as I would deem it to be within the spirit and scope of my invention if the flexible member 6 were in one piece with the main portion 5 of the leaf, but made thinner than said main portion and having the strip 7 extending longitudinally thereof.

I also wish it understood that I would deemit within the spirit and scope of my invention to omit altogether the longitudinal strip and merely employ the flexible member 6 and the end pieces 10. I prefer to employ the longitudinal strip, however, as it not only prevents the flexible member from buckling or bending, but it also serves to connect the ends of said flexible member to the end strips 10 and, furthermore, serves to prevent the fingers of a person from getting into the spaces between the ends of the flexible member and the inner edges of the end strips 10.

hat I claim as my invention is 1. A leaf for a loose-leaf book, comprising a main body portion, a rear stiffening or re inforcing portion, and a member between the main body portion and the rear reinforcing portion, and of more flexible or bendable material than said main portion and rear reinforcing portion, and strips at the ends of the flexible member and of strongermaterial than said flexible member and extending from the main body portion to the rear reinforcing portion.

2. A leaf for a loose-leaf book, comprising a main body portion, a rear stiifening or reinforcing portion, and a member between the main body portion and the rear reinforcing portion, and composed of more flexible or bendable material than the main portion and the rear reinforcing portion, and said flexible member having its ends terminating short of the upper and lower edges of the leaf, and strips at the ends of the flexible member, and

of stronger material than said flexible member, and extending from the main body portion to the rear reinforcing portion.

3. A leaf for a loose-leaf book, comprising a main body portion, a rear stiffening or reinforcing portion, and a member between the main body portion and the rear reinforcing portion, and of more flexible or bendable material than said main portion and rear reinforcing portion, a strip extending longitudinally of the flexible member, and of less width than said flexible member, so as to leave exposed portions of the flexible member beyond the longitudinal edge or edges of the longitudinal strip, and strips extending across the ends of the longitudinal strip, and having their forward ends connected to the main body portion and their rear ends to the rear reinforcing portion.

4. A leaf for a loose-leaf book, comprising a main body portion, a rear stiffening or reinforcing portion, and a member between the main body portion and the rear reinforcing portion, and of more flexible or bendable material than said main portion and rear reinforcing portion, said flexible member having its ends terminating short of the upper and lower edge of the leaf, a strip secured to and extending longitudinally of the flexible member, and having its ends projecting beyond the ends of the flexible member and terminating flush with the upper and lower edges of the leaf, said longitudinal strip being of less Width than the flexible member so as to leave exposed portions of the flexible member beyond the longitudinal edge or edges of the longitudinal strip, and strips extending across the protruding ends of the longitudinal strip, and having their forward ends secured to the main body portion, and their rear ends secured to the rear reinforcing portion.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY C. MILLER.

Vitnesses:

A. L. MonsnLL, ANNA F. SCHMIDTBAUER. 

